Белдік шәлі (Beldiк sháli)

Large piece of fabric wrapped around the body, loosely gathered and belted at the waist

The belted plaid is a large blanket like piece of fabric which is wrapped around the body with the material pleated or, more accurately, loosely gathered and secured at the waist by means of a belt. Typically, a portion of the belted plaid hangs down to about the knees (for men) or ankles (for women) with the rest of the material being wrapped up around the upper body in a variety of ways and pinned or otherwise secured to keep it in place. The belted plaid was a standard item of men's Highland dress from the late 16th century until the middle of the 18th century. It was also the precursor of the modern tailored kilt.

The belted plaid was made from wool, or a wool and linen combination, and twill woven, often in a pattern of coloured stripes in one or both directions, giving a pattern of stripes or checks, respectively. The latter has become known as tartan, though originally the word referred to the type of cloth used, not the pattern of colours, as it almost exclusively signifies today. Early tartans were only particular to locales, rather than any specific Scottish clan; like other materials, tartan designs were produced by local weavers for local tastes, using the most available natural dyes. The modern notion of "clan tartans", whereby each clan or surname is associated with a particular design, did not exist at that time, but instead dates back to the early 19th century.

The belted plaid was used not only as a garment, but also as bedding at night, the wearer wrapping himself in it and sleeping directly on the ground. During the years preceding the Battle of Culloden, to the extent that Highlanders wore any kind of kilt like garment, it was the belted plaid and not the modern tailored kilt.